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Veneficium: Magic, Witchcraft and the Poison Path
In many esoteric traditions, there exists an iconic or linguistic corollary between the concepts of ‘poisoner’ and ‘sorcerer’, suggesting a sinistral magical kinship. Indeed, the use of plant, animal and mineral toxins is a strand of magic originating in remotest antiquity and reaching the present day. Beyond its mundane function as an agent of corporeal harm, poisons have also served as gateways of religious ecstasy, occult knowledge, and sensorial aberration, as well as the basis of cures. Allied with Samael, the fallen serpent-angel of first transgression whose Hebrew name in some translations is ‘Venom of God’, this facet of magic wends through the rites of ancient Sumer and Egypt, penetrating European Necromancy, Alchemy, the arcane the rites of the Witches’ Sabbath, and modern-day folk magic. VENEFICIUM concerns the intersection of magic and poison. Of particular note to this study are the herbs of the so-called ‘Devil’s Garden’, which bear relation to the allied witchcraft concepts of the Graal of Midnight, the Witches’ Supper, and the flying ointment of the witches which has exerted fascination over scholars, historians, and practitioners alike. Beyond consideration of the toxicological dimensions of magical power, the related threads of astral and philosophical poisons are also examined, and their resonance and dissonance with magical practice explored. VENEFICIUM will be of interest to students of magic, witchcraft, alchemy, botanical folklore, medicine, and occult pharmacology.
177 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 17, 2025
This was fascinating! Schulke did a superb job of giving an overview of the Poison Path. This narrative covered a lot of information and delivered it from many historical, cultural-folkloric, pharmacological-chemical, and occult-magical references. This was a neither a how-to nor New Age book, but an information delivery. I had to Google & Wikipedia most of it—I'm not gonna even pretend.
The author argued that poisons and alchemic transmutations have been around since the ancient times. Aligned with the Hermetic principles, they have to Power of Healing or the Power of Harming. This was referred to as the disciplined principle of "purity or contamination": veneficium being the Latin for drug, poison, or magic; the old Greek pharmakon could equally indicate a poison or a cure. These paradoxical definitions of toxins and how they are used are all up to the practitioner (pg 15). Johannes Weier, in his De Lamiis of 1577, remarks:
The author argued that poisons and alchemic transmutations have been around since the ancient times. Aligned with the Hermetic principles, they have to Power of Healing or the Power of Harming. This was referred to as the disciplined principle of "purity or contamination": veneficium being the Latin for drug, poison, or magic; the old Greek pharmakon could equally indicate a poison or a cure. These paradoxical definitions of toxins and how they are used are all up to the practitioner (pg 15). Johannes Weier, in his De Lamiis of 1577, remarks:
Venefici are those who with poisons made from metals, plants, animals, excrements, or mixed bodies, swallowed, rubbed in, or placed where their vapors are breathed bring diseases with the most cruel symptoms, wasting of the body, imbecility of strength, loosening of the joints, and other atrocious sufferings, sometimes prolonged but generally causing speedy death with intolerable pain. pg 28I was particularly fascinated by the chapters dealing with plants and incense. The author explained the historical context of poison plants from their family and genus: plants from the nightshade family (Belladonna, Mandrake), plants from the Aconitum family and the toxin aconite (Wolf's-bane, henbane), and more. The author explained the historical context of the various plant alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, coniine), incense, fumigants, and all the different herbs and plants used in Crooked Path. He discussed fern, hemlock, camphor, sandalwood, Myrrh, mint, Frankincense, Saffron, and more
Agrippa relates that "the souls of the dead cannot called up without blood and a carcass: but their shadows to beastly allured by the fumigations of these things..." In addition to propitiation and control of spirits, fumigants had other uses in sorcery... Divination by smoke was known as Capnomancy; Libanomacy was a more general term for divination by the fumes of incense. pg 107-8The other two subjects I found fascinating were corpse-poison. Corpse poison is the utilization of ritualistic cannibalism, decomposition secretions, body parts, decaying matter, living bodily secretions (semen, blood, ect.) in the use of creating poisons and their use.
A recurrent component of magical charms is the secretion of semen, menstrual blood, feces, or urine into food as a spell of control over one's victim. This actions mimics the spoor secreted fry many mammals for the 'marking' or 'claiming' of territory. pg 86This was absolutely fascinating especially from the organic plant, chemical, and occult perspectives. I would absolute recommend this to anyone intrigued by nuances and detailed information of Poison Path work. Thanks!
March 27, 2015
This books was more accessible than I was expecting. It is a collection of essays that have an over-arching theme of poison and intoxication and it's use in magic and witchcraft. Everything from the make-up of the witch's fabled "flying ointment," to the use of human body parts in witchcraft and sorcery, to the notion of purity and contamination. Some of which have been published before in journals dealing with magic, here collected and embellished into a book. This being the case, some chapters were stronger than others. There was very little overlap in information given across the different chapters. It is obvious that care went into the editing to unify them into one book. Particularly, the chapter on incense, the scents and plants traditionally used to make it, was fascinating and full of historical references and chemical data. All chapters had something to offer, but I felt that a few of the essay often meandered and strayed from the thesis introduced in the beginning of the chapter. Full of footnotes and a bibliography, the book also liked to quote and reference books published by the Cultus Sabbati, which is a magical group founded by Andrew Chumbley. I found this a little frustrating as a lot of these books had a limited print run, making them hard to find, let alone read. Still, it provided a bit of a glimpse into the magical philosophy of this rather elusive school of magical thought. Let's be clear that this is an academic book looking at the history of the poison path, rather than a grimoire or handbook on the subject. So those expecting a rituals and recipes will not find them here.
March 1, 2021
It it clear that Schukke has done extensive research and his own personal experimentation with the magical uses of malefic plants and other poisonous substances. But what we are presented here, is a largely inaccessible tome on what could have been a fascinating and insightful topic. Inaccessible not for his overly erudite writing style, but because throughout he intentionally obfuscates any original insighs and experiences under a shroud of secrecy. Schulke frequently hints at his own experimentation and praxis utilizing poisonous substances, but rather than draw conclusions from these experiments, he alludes only to what her refers to a "cipher of knowledge" available to the "elite initiates". In effect, he reaveals more about his own sense of occult elitism and glimpses into why perhaps Cultus Sabbati remains such a closed practice.
November 25, 2013
This book is more of a collection of essays than a cohesive book, but the insights, theories and information within is both rare and valuable. The only reason it didn't get five stars is because the editor was apparently asleep at the wheel, given the amount of typos and grammatical errors. But to someone walking the Poison Path, this hard to obtain book is worth its weight in gold.
September 15, 2016
There's no other book like this out there. To read it is an education.
November 16, 2018
There are some fantastic essays in here regarding the poison path and its applications in witchcraft.
October 15, 2020
The poison path and its applications, historical references of witchcraft, history and books, in my opinion this book it´s unique and awesome, I highly recommend it, the are some amount of grammatical errors, but if you know or not the Poison Path, it´s worth its weight in gold.
May 23, 2022
Dense compendium of poison-path lore by an expert and practitioner, veering between the poetic and the academic in style. I'll confine my review to a few amazing quotes:
"Poison is the point of first beginnings from which all must arise; it is power, both in its raw state, and in all its potentials for transmutation."
"In its exaltation, Fear is the simultaneous knowledge and respect of those powers which can annihilate us. Its irrational axis, manifest in action, is cowardice and impulse; its flowering is courage and prudence."
"The ability to attach with ferocious passion, and detach as readily [is] a holistic recognition that each encounter with the unfamiliar may be a source of great power to the adept."
"Modern drug prohibition is driven by fear of gnostic revelation or knowledge arising from bodily ecstasy, and the consequent shattering of state or religion-enforced paradigms....the same fears lie at the root of state repressions of sexual freedom and expression."
"Amid the reeds a watchful satyr stood, observing him intently. Maintaining his gaze, the silen slowly raised what appeared to be a police radio to his lips and whispered into it: 'Affirmative. We have one who sees.'"
"Poison is the point of first beginnings from which all must arise; it is power, both in its raw state, and in all its potentials for transmutation."
"In its exaltation, Fear is the simultaneous knowledge and respect of those powers which can annihilate us. Its irrational axis, manifest in action, is cowardice and impulse; its flowering is courage and prudence."
"The ability to attach with ferocious passion, and detach as readily [is] a holistic recognition that each encounter with the unfamiliar may be a source of great power to the adept."
"Modern drug prohibition is driven by fear of gnostic revelation or knowledge arising from bodily ecstasy, and the consequent shattering of state or religion-enforced paradigms....the same fears lie at the root of state repressions of sexual freedom and expression."
"Amid the reeds a watchful satyr stood, observing him intently. Maintaining his gaze, the silen slowly raised what appeared to be a police radio to his lips and whispered into it: 'Affirmative. We have one who sees.'"
January 13, 2022
A well-researched tome that I found to be a valuable, if at times challenging read.
October 25, 2024
Gran libro introductorio a la Senda de los Venenos. Un estudio de las plantas venenosas, como espíritus con un poder tanto benigno como maligno, aparte de ser una puerta de entrada al otro lado. Su relación con las deidades ctonicas y la utilización de estas al largo de la historia en un contexto mágico-ritual.
Uno de los puntos más interesantes es el paso por tantas facetas del ocultismo que tratan o se relacionan con las plantas venenosas, el conocimiento es aplicable a cualquier tradición. Otro punto que para mí es de lo mejor es la sección de los sahumerios, listas de autores y recetas interesantes de investigar, y como no siempre lleno de referencias.
Quizá la parte más mala sería que el autor habla en bastantes ocasiones de experiencias personales que son bastante prescindibles en muchos casos.
Uno de los puntos más interesantes es el paso por tantas facetas del ocultismo que tratan o se relacionan con las plantas venenosas, el conocimiento es aplicable a cualquier tradición. Otro punto que para mí es de lo mejor es la sección de los sahumerios, listas de autores y recetas interesantes de investigar, y como no siempre lleno de referencias.
Quizá la parte más mala sería que el autor habla en bastantes ocasiones de experiencias personales que son bastante prescindibles en muchos casos.
September 27, 2024
Daniel A. Schulke’s Veneficium: Magic, Witchcraft, and the Poison Path is an extraordinary exploration of the shadowy intersections between sorcery and toxin, filled with rare insight and meticulous research. Schulke’s work is not merely an academic study but a deep plunge into the arcane lore that surrounds poisons and their magical uses, drawing connections that few authors have dared to trace. This book is a masterpiece, blending history, folklore, and esoteric philosophy into an immersive narrative that beckons both scholars and practitioners alike.
What makes Veneficium exceptional is its seamless integration of historical documentation with magical praxis, making it essential reading for anyone fascinated by the darker aspects of the occult. Schulke uncovers the hidden links between the roles of the poisoner and the sorcerer, tracing these connections back to antiquity and through varied traditions such as Egyptian rites, Sumerian lore, and the rituals of the European Witches’ Sabbath. From the Devil’s Garden of toxic herbs to the alchemical processes of creating astral poisons, Schulke’s command of his material is both expansive and precise.
The most striking sections focus on the potent herbs of the so-called Witches’ Supper, illustrating how the use of these plants extends far beyond the stereotypical image of flying ointments and poison potions. Schulke recontextualizes these agents of transgression and transformation as tools of mystical transcendence and altered states, bridging the worlds of pharmacology and occultism. His portrayal of venom as both a source of death and a catalyst for ecstasy reflects a deep understanding of the dual nature of poison—simultaneously harmful and revelatory.
Veneficium excels in its ability to communicate the philosophical and symbolic dimensions of poison, making this a rare text that combines practical knowledge with a profound exploration of poison as a concept in magical thought. Schulke’s nuanced treatment of toxicology, coupled with his keen awareness of astral poisons and their metaphysical implications, sets a new standard for the field. This is not simply a book for those interested in dangerous plants; it is a manual for understanding the liminal spaces poison inhabits in both body and spirit.
Veneficium is a modern classic, bridging the gap between historical research and magical application in a way that few books on the subject have achieved. It is a must-read for any serious student of the occult, witchcraft, or alchemical traditions. For those willing to venture into the sinistral corridors of the Poison Path, Schulke offers a comprehensive map of its landscapes, one that is both beautifully written and profoundly illuminating. This is easily one of the most compelling works on the intersection of magic and poison to be published in decades.
What makes Veneficium exceptional is its seamless integration of historical documentation with magical praxis, making it essential reading for anyone fascinated by the darker aspects of the occult. Schulke uncovers the hidden links between the roles of the poisoner and the sorcerer, tracing these connections back to antiquity and through varied traditions such as Egyptian rites, Sumerian lore, and the rituals of the European Witches’ Sabbath. From the Devil’s Garden of toxic herbs to the alchemical processes of creating astral poisons, Schulke’s command of his material is both expansive and precise.
The most striking sections focus on the potent herbs of the so-called Witches’ Supper, illustrating how the use of these plants extends far beyond the stereotypical image of flying ointments and poison potions. Schulke recontextualizes these agents of transgression and transformation as tools of mystical transcendence and altered states, bridging the worlds of pharmacology and occultism. His portrayal of venom as both a source of death and a catalyst for ecstasy reflects a deep understanding of the dual nature of poison—simultaneously harmful and revelatory.
Veneficium excels in its ability to communicate the philosophical and symbolic dimensions of poison, making this a rare text that combines practical knowledge with a profound exploration of poison as a concept in magical thought. Schulke’s nuanced treatment of toxicology, coupled with his keen awareness of astral poisons and their metaphysical implications, sets a new standard for the field. This is not simply a book for those interested in dangerous plants; it is a manual for understanding the liminal spaces poison inhabits in both body and spirit.
Veneficium is a modern classic, bridging the gap between historical research and magical application in a way that few books on the subject have achieved. It is a must-read for any serious student of the occult, witchcraft, or alchemical traditions. For those willing to venture into the sinistral corridors of the Poison Path, Schulke offers a comprehensive map of its landscapes, one that is both beautifully written and profoundly illuminating. This is easily one of the most compelling works on the intersection of magic and poison to be published in decades.
August 26, 2024
Still my favorite poison path book even after years of owning others. It's beautifully crafted into a tome for ritual use as well as study.
September 29, 2024
Interesting subject matter but unnecessarily obtuse language that seems to be used less for the sake of precision than to make the author look more “academic” or intelligent.
April 18, 2019
For an advanced interpreter of the mythopoeia and dynamics of the occult this is a great, sophisticated read, discernably engaging in lush elucidations of the mindframe of witchcraft. It is one of a kind, rarely ever a book leaves me so impressed by the masterful command of the topic by the author. The profane exposed in an academic manner that almost makes the walking corpses of shades an aesthetic phenomena. Let me quit the reviewing here, and follow the advice: 'be wise' an accentuation of the ophitic currents, unforgiving for the insane and the fool, behold a short poem:
Unshown pathways of fates
Had thou spread forgetful arson?
Unwit, wit your own mirror, fool
Trap yea, many fell, strangled
By fates which judge to offer to?
Consider yer a mightier man?
Some call it ‘many a suns
Hath seen’.
Do not point fingers at the
Slanders’ receiving party
Withhold swords and judgments
Turn the table, stay aright
Drink your own poison, it
Healeth only the honest,
Thine enemies samelike
Veneficial bane digest
Only then thou shall smile,
Or perish in regret
After true faces are shown
In black mirrors of Moires
Unshown pathways of fates
Had thou spread forgetful arson?
Unwit, wit your own mirror, fool
Trap yea, many fell, strangled
By fates which judge to offer to?
Consider yer a mightier man?
Some call it ‘many a suns
Hath seen’.
Do not point fingers at the
Slanders’ receiving party
Withhold swords and judgments
Turn the table, stay aright
Drink your own poison, it
Healeth only the honest,
Thine enemies samelike
Veneficial bane digest
Only then thou shall smile,
Or perish in regret
After true faces are shown
In black mirrors of Moires
Read
July 23, 2020Another interesting research entry. Far more researched than Plants of the Devil, with references from around the world. It felt global and respectful. However, at the same time, it was almost inaccessible in its lofty language. There’s repetition of words that could easily be replaced or altered to provide a handle for readers at a lower level of comprehension (atavistic, tenebrous, etc) and at least one word I found that seems to be ... made up. Also, the book needed a good editor. Hyphenated adverbs, different spellings (philtre vs. philter, role vs. rôle). (Although it must be said that a few chapters were completely readable and not at all written with heaps of indiscernible words, which makes me wonder.) The writing distracted me from the subject matter, which was a pity because the subject matter was so fascinating.
November 30, 2018
I teeter between three and four stars on this one. Three stars because I think it's a bit dense – there were a number of words I would consider uncommon or archaic to my english that I had to look up, and after a while stopped and read on through, deciphering via context. I haven't read many texts authored by occultists and witches from the UK or Europe, but the style of writing in this book struck me as akin to an intriguing variety of specialized or theoretical writing (which it is, isn't it?). Despite it being a bit over my head, there was still much to soak up and delight over, and I really appreciated this chronicle of knowledge outside (and beside) Christian scientific historical canon. I plan to lend this book to an herbalist friend so we can both talk about it. =)
August 1, 2025
This book is, if anything, an excellent historical study of poison in witchcraft, although I would have liked the author to provide a bit more of his personal expertise in terms of putting ingredients together. Since many of the plants in this book are indeed, toxic, I can nonetheless understand why he chose not to include those types of details (for legal and safety reasons). I'm interested in reading more of the author's work though, and will likely read his Lux Haeresis next.
December 20, 2025
In a dazzling lexicon that inspires trust and awe, Schulke folds and weaves new patterns of magical understanding. Moreover, he enriches the arcane with pharmaceutical, historical and scientific findings and sources. I find him incredibly convincing: he has the kind of voice that triggers within the reader a decisive “yes, I will follow you anywhere, be my torchlight.” The Poison Path now shines luminous and bright.
October 24, 2020
I study herbalism so this is an interesting read.
In an academic perspective Veneficium goes hand in hand with the exterior metaphysical properties of the plants and flowers detailed inside. I have only just grasped the surface of this book and it will take me many more reads for a proper understanding.
In an academic perspective Veneficium goes hand in hand with the exterior metaphysical properties of the plants and flowers detailed inside. I have only just grasped the surface of this book and it will take me many more reads for a proper understanding.
March 23, 2022
Hace falta un C3 para enterarse de este libro, pero más allá de eso, es muy interesante y muy formativo.
El autor revisa el veneno y su papel en la filosofía, brujeria y el folclore a lo largo de la historia. Muy rico en referencias. A veces un poco duro de seguir como hispanohablante, pero merece la pena.
El autor revisa el veneno y su papel en la filosofía, brujeria y el folclore a lo largo de la historia. Muy rico en referencias. A veces un poco duro de seguir como hispanohablante, pero merece la pena.
May 28, 2021
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is remarkable. A collection of essays and references from different stories throughout time. Very informative & a treasure for anyone interested in pharmakon.
This book is remarkable. A collection of essays and references from different stories throughout time. Very informative & a treasure for anyone interested in pharmakon.
August 5, 2023
This was very informative and interesting. Learned a lot
October 7, 2025
muy muy interesante
February 22, 2023
Typically I enjoy Schulke's work quite a lot. But in this case, I simply can't get myself to concentrate on the book.
It's nothing wrong with the book itself, frankly; when I can get myself to concentrate on it, it's great. Very much in the vein of his Viridarium Umbris, detailed, beautifully written in a style I enjoy (no matter how many others whine about finding it "grating" or "too purple" what have you). I also appreciate the many warnings about not being an idiot, and of taking the Poisoner's Path and its associated compounds seriously, and of having the proper respect for it and what you're doing. And so it's not the book at all, really. From what I could get myself to read, in fact, it's fantastic.
I think, after starting and stopping many a time, that it's simply the subject matter itself that I'm struggling with; in the interim of trying to finish this one, I've picked up numerous other books on the subject of the Poisoner's Path and Alchemy in particular, and I've found I have the problem with all of them: After reading for about 15 to 20 minutes, I involuntarily zone out and find myself unable to concentrate on or retain what I'm reading. No matter how many times I try to restart those other books, the cycle repeats and I have the same issue.
So I've finally decided to DNF this book after giving it a final go today and move on from these subjects altogether; it seems they're just not for me... So three stars because it is a Schulke work, and I do enjoy his works overall (and have enjoyed what I've read and been able to retain of this one). But I can't give it more than that.
It's nothing wrong with the book itself, frankly; when I can get myself to concentrate on it, it's great. Very much in the vein of his Viridarium Umbris, detailed, beautifully written in a style I enjoy (no matter how many others whine about finding it "grating" or "too purple" what have you). I also appreciate the many warnings about not being an idiot, and of taking the Poisoner's Path and its associated compounds seriously, and of having the proper respect for it and what you're doing. And so it's not the book at all, really. From what I could get myself to read, in fact, it's fantastic.
I think, after starting and stopping many a time, that it's simply the subject matter itself that I'm struggling with; in the interim of trying to finish this one, I've picked up numerous other books on the subject of the Poisoner's Path and Alchemy in particular, and I've found I have the problem with all of them: After reading for about 15 to 20 minutes, I involuntarily zone out and find myself unable to concentrate on or retain what I'm reading. No matter how many times I try to restart those other books, the cycle repeats and I have the same issue.
So I've finally decided to DNF this book after giving it a final go today and move on from these subjects altogether; it seems they're just not for me... So three stars because it is a Schulke work, and I do enjoy his works overall (and have enjoyed what I've read and been able to retain of this one). But I can't give it more than that.
July 18, 2014
Among my favorite titles from Three Hands Press, and my favorite work from this author and press co-owner. Mr. Schulke does not wander far from the familiar topics covered in his other works. Namely crooked path witchcraft, herbal alchemy and hermetic attainment via tantric application of traditional and modern witchcraft practices.
The theme of this specific work is poison and its application to the modern and traditional witchcraft practitioner. Among the ideas expressed in this work is the concept of poison as a tool for those who are devoted to a path of spiritual attainment. I.E. poison as a means of killing of the aspects of the self that hold back the subconscious or greater numen.
This handsome volume contains many interesting historical references, references to topical works, fantastic images. And helpful tools for those choose to work in this dangerous area. The most interesting to me personally may be the incense recipes.
The theme of this specific work is poison and its application to the modern and traditional witchcraft practitioner. Among the ideas expressed in this work is the concept of poison as a tool for those who are devoted to a path of spiritual attainment. I.E. poison as a means of killing of the aspects of the self that hold back the subconscious or greater numen.
This handsome volume contains many interesting historical references, references to topical works, fantastic images. And helpful tools for those choose to work in this dangerous area. The most interesting to me personally may be the incense recipes.
February 19, 2013
Interesting book on the poison path however it is more a cultural and historical study than say Pendells books.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews